Malawi Brief: Reducing Empirical Antibiotic Prescribing Through Strengthened Diagnostics in Central Hospitals

Over 90% of antibiotics prescribed in Malawi’s central hospitals are given empirically, with minimal laboratory support. This policy brief presents national and regional evidence showing how strengthening diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship can reduce misuse, lower costs, and slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Malawi.